Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner having their first or second start, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.
Today, a well-related and lightly-tried filly at Grafton has caught our eye and at the Sale meeting we like the prospects of couple of 3-year-olds with winning Group 1 performances close up in their pedigrees.
Grafton, Race 1, 1.20pm AEDT, Clarence Coast Maiden, $22,000, 1000m
Xerri (Snitzel) was a $410,000 graduate of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and is the first foal of the winning Medaglia D’Oro (USA) mare Sempre Libera. He is a half-sister to the South African Fillies’ Classic winner Merlene De Lago (Encosta De Lago) and their dam is the two-time Group 1 winner Merlene (Danehill {USA}).
Xerri as a yearling
The pedigree also features the G1 VRC Oaks winner Dear Demi (Dehere {USA}) and the dual elite level winner Miss Pennymoney (Brocco {USA}). Trained by Toby and Trent Edmonds, Xerri was a smart trial winner before an unplaced run at Eagle Farm. He can show the benefit of that experience with a much bolder display here against moderate opposition.
Sale, Race 2, 1.40pm AEDT, Vale Kevin Hogan Maiden, $35,000, 1200m
Vision Red (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) is a half-brother to the Listed Geelong Classic winner Extra Choice (Redoute’s Choice) and they are out of Bonaichi (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}). She was a talented mare who won the Listed Bonecrusher S. and has so far produced three winners.
Vision Red (NZ) as a yearling
The dam is a half-sister to the stakes winner and Group 1 performer Prima Nova (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and they are out of the G1 Emirates S. winner Bonanova (NZ) (Star Way {GB}). Prepared at Lindsay Park, who bought the youngster for NZ$150,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale, Vision Red is on debut after a couple of trials and it may well be a case of a rich pedigree to the fore in what isn’t the strongest of line-ups.
Sale, Race 3, 2.15pm AEDT, CJ Officechoice Maiden, $35,000, 1400m
Superior Ideology (Declaration Of War {USA}) was picked up for $40,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and that may prove to be a smart piece of business. He has impressed through the education process under trainer Robert Hickmott with runner-up finishes in his last two trials and looks poised to make a bold bid here.
Superior Ideology as a yearling
The 3-year-old is a son of Sri Lanka (Sri Pekan) {USA}), who has produced nine winners including Master Harry (Magic Albert), who won the G2 Royal Sovereign S., and the dam of the G1 Stradbroke H. winner Under The Louvre (Excellent Art {GB}). Most notably, it is also the family of The Everest winner Yes Yes Yes (Rubick).
